Clarins Self Tanning Gel

Pros: absorbs quickly; looks natural
Cons: price; needs many applications to look tan; tan doesn't last

This goes into my product reviews of shame pile. You know, those products that are really pricey, that didn't work, that never should have bought in the first place.

I don't lay out in the sun (anymore) and I don't do the tanning bed thing...

Pros: Easy to use, washes off hands easily, works!
Cons: Smells strange, expensive, can streak, no sun protection

I bought Clarins Self Tanning Gel for AUD 34 (approx. USD 17) at a local department store after hearing good things about the Clarins fake tan range. I have unbelievably pale skin and my family is prone to developing melanomas so I'm always very careful...

Pros: You'll turn yellow
Cons: And... you have to pay for it!

My experience

About two months ago, I was out shopping with friends. We went into a weird store, and one of my friends found this "Self Tanning Gel", and she said "`You should really buy this, you are as white as piece...

Pros: Natural looking tan; silky; fades naturally
Cons: Slight smell; some may want more color

I bought this product based on Clarins reputation, and previous, positive experiences with their products. After my purchase, I read some scathing reviews on epinions, and proceeded to "tan" with some trepidation.

I followed all instructions...

Pros: the smell
Cons: color is too light

As I wrote in one of my other reviews, I have tried just about every self-tanner there is. Compared to other self tanners, Clarins smells the best, tans the least, and costs the most.

My pet peeve with self-tanners is the smell of your skin...

Pros: Tanning without wrinkles
Cons: Takes a few days to look great

I have tried a sample of this recently with smashing results.
I am a person who likes to be somewhat tan year-round as I look sick when I am pale. I have tried bronzing powder and liquid makeups that "tan" you however they come off on your white...

Pros: Easy application,
Cons: Pricey, No application indicator,

I'd read in one of my beauty magazines that Clarins was the top pick among self tanners. I headed over to Lord and Taylor and looked around. Stupid me, I didn't bother testing anything out on my wrists. I was too excited at finally being able to get a...

Pros: Quickly absorbed; natural color
Cons: None

I had never used a self-tanning product before this one. I have fair skin and wanted to apply a self-tanner to my legs (which are super white). I was very impressed. The gel is quickly absorbed which means that you can shower (and exfoliate), apply,...

Pros: Very easy to use and it's not messy
Cons: The color is very light - even on fair skin

I have tried every self tanning lotion on the market and this one was by far the best in every category except one. It smelled nice, was easy to use, did not streak and was not messy to deal with. However, the color is so light that I used almost the...

Pros: NO orange
no streaks
even tan
feels like I just got out of the sun
Cons: makes me scared to take a shower and lose the tan because it's so expensive.

I just bought this self tanner and applied it the same day. I've tried the cheap ones that you get for $6-10 dollars. The neutrogena sublime glow was the closest to the deep tan color I needed, but it wasn't strong enough (and I have medium/olive ...

Pros: it does have a good browny hue to it
Cons: doesn't dry fast enough, not enough color

I usually used the Clarins spray, it was amazing, but it is now discontintued. (I hate it when they do that,.) So, got the 'instant' gel instead. It takes a good 2 hours to dry, and the color is non-existant. I'm on my 3rd coat (3 days) now, and its still so barely there. What a waste of $$$. Will try Lancome's Flash Bronzer next....heard it was good.

Pros: Didn't streak as much
Cons: Smells bad
Turns you orange
Price

I originally purchased this expensive product based on good reviews about smell, streaking and non-orange effect.  Unfortunatley my experience didn't measure up.  I have very white skin.  It did streak but less than other products.  The smell is every bit as bad.  You can't put it on during the day and go out to see people.  Be prepared to wash the smell out of your sheets too.  And, yes, I turned orange.  The price did not make it worth it.  Maybe people of other skin tones will have better experience.  Stick to pharmacy brands that perform nearly equal and costs way less.